The Prime Minister reassures Kimpese that the start of the new school year is on schedule

The 2024–2025 school year in the DRC was officially launched on Monday, September 2, 2024, by Raïssa Malu, Minister of State for National Education, in Tshikapa, Kasai. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, who is currently in Kimpese in Central Kongo, confirmed the successful start of the school year from Lamba Ntumua High School in Kimpese. In her speech, the head of government reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to the pledges made at the Bibwa conference, particularly regarding the improvement of teachers’ working conditions.

“We will honor the commitments we made with the teachers’ unions. Without you, we cannot move forward,” she told the teachers present.

The Prime Minister also reiterated her government’s commitment to maintaining free primary education in public schools, a constitutional requirement implemented since 2019 to guarantee access to education for all Congolese children.

 “We will ensure the continuity of free basic education for the future of our youth,” she emphasized.

Against the backdrop of the ongoing Mpox outbreak, the Prime Minister called for vigilance from everyone. Although no cases have been reported so far in Kongo-Central Province, preventive measures will nonetheless be strengthened in schools. Students and teachers are therefore urged to follow the health guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health. It is important to note that the government had negotiated a compromise with the national education unions to ensure a smooth start to the school year. This agreement includes measures aimed at improving teachers’ working conditions, thereby enhancing the quality of education provided across the country. Célestin Zeula